In the wake of the New Year Eve attack on the Ipele Police Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Owo Local Government area of Ondo, the governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed security agents to intensify patrols across communities and forest areas in the state.
The Governor stressed that security remaines a 24-hour responsibility, particularly during the festive periods.
Aiyedatiwa spoke on Thursday after an emergency security meeting with the heads of the state security agencies at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Akure, where he reviewed the response to the attack and measures to prevent recurrence.
He explained that the attack occurred late on Wednesday night while many residents were attending cross over services to usher in 2026.
Aiyedatiwa said that upon receiving the report, he immediately contacted the police and the Brigade Commander, instructing that security personnel be deployed to support officers on patrol and protect residents.
The governor noted that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Rangers, were already on patrol throughout the state and in forested areas.
He added that their rapid mobilisation ensured that the attackers, who gained access to the police station and discharged an explosive, were unable to harm anyone.
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The Governor said that only the police station was damaged, adding that all officers survived the attack and were able to rejoin their colleagues on patrol to prevent further criminal activity.
He said that the emergency meeting with security chiefs focused on reviewing the incident, assessing the security response, and ensuring that similar acts do not happen again.
Also speaking, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said that the governor convened the emergency session with heads of security Agencies to assess the situation and activate strategies to apprehend the perpetrators.
The police boss dismissed reports circulating on the social media suggesting casualties or attacks on churches, affirming that no lives were lost and no church was affected.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
